Top 9 Talking Points for AISD School Consolidation
Key arguments and questions to raise with the AISD Board regarding the proposed school consolidation plan.
Minimal Savings, Massive Disruption
AISD's own estimate is just $13 million saved — less than 1% of the $1.9 billion budget — while disrupting nearly every student.
➡ Ask:
Require a full cost-benefit analysis showing why such disruption is justified for so little savings before approving any closures.
Violates the District's Own Guiding Principle
The plan claims to "minimize impact," yet 98% of campuses are affected.
➡ Ask:
Direct the district to present a revised plan that truly minimizes disruption, with a clear impact assessment by school and community.
SAISD's Experience is a Warning
Despite closing 39 schools over 8 years, SAISD still projects a $40.8 million deficit and saw academic decline. SAISD also attributes significant further population decline as a result of the school closures.
➡ Ask:
Require AISD to provide a 5-year savings, academic performance, and population projection audited by an external, independent body.
Focus on Enrollment Capture, Not Closures
Only 45-47% of children born in AISD boundaries attend AISD kindergarten. Closing schools will likely make this worse.
➡ Ask:
Require a plan to improve enrollment capture (e.g., early-childhood programs, neighborhood access, marketing), with measurable goals before voting on closures.
Transportation Burden on Families
This plan will increase bus ride times and put more students in rush-hour traffic. We don't know the full cost or whether there are even enough buses to handle the changes.
➡ Ask:
Require a detailed transportation report for every affected household — including new bus pickup/drop-off times, travel duration, and total cost impact — before approving any closures.
Research Shows Limited Savings and Lasting Harm
Studies show only 30-40% of projected savings materialize, math achievement drops for years, property values decline near closed schools, and vulnerable students bear the brunt.
➡ Ask:
Require a detailed transition-cost analysis and equity impact report to be made public before any final vote.
Rezoning Students to Lower-Performing Schools
This plan rezones many students in the district from higher-performing schools to lower-performing schools. Research shows this leads to worse academic outcomes for all students and will drive many families away from AISD.
➡ Ask:
Ask the district to present an alternative plan that only moves students from lower-performing schools to higher-performing schools, ensuring better outcomes for all students.
Push for State-Level Solutions
Without state funding reform and charter regulation, consolidation will just repeat in 3-5 years.
➡ Ask:
Require the district to present a joint advocacy plan with the board, mobilizing parents and local leaders to press the legislature for funding reform.
Explore Proven Alternatives First
Other Texas districts use 4-day school weeks and shared services to retain teachers, save on transportation/utilities, and stabilize finances.
➡ Ask:
Insist that AISD model and publicly share alternative scenarios — including 4-day weeks — before pursuing closures.
Use these talking points when engaging with AISD Board members, attending public meetings, or advocating for better solutions to the district's challenges.